Herd Effects vs ProveSource (October 2026)
Updated October 23, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Social Proof Plugins top 10: Herd Effects at #9 and ProveSource at #3. ProveSource leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Herd Effects
Social Proof Popups & Real-Time Notifications – Herd Effects
Boost conversions with real-time social proof popups and user activity notifications, encouraging visitor actions on your WordPress site.
ProveSource
ProveSource Social Proof
Show recent WooCommerce sales, product reviews and live visitor counts as social proof notifications to build trust and increase conversions.
Who leads on what
ProveSource leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
ProveSource ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #9 in Social Proof Plugins.
ProveSource has more users: 2,000+ active installs against 900+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Herd Effects has 15, ProveSource has 72. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
ProveSource has more reviews behind its score: 72 against 15.
ProveSource was updated more recently, on September 28, 2026; Herd Effects on August 25, 2026.
ProveSource was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 2,142 times against 288.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Herd Effects
Herd Effects does not lead on any measure we track, so pick it only for something these numbers cannot show, such as a feature you need.
ProveSource
Pick ProveSource if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, you want the score backed by more reviews, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Herd Effects vs ProveSource side by side
| Herd Effects | ProveSource | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Proof Plugins ranking | #9 | #3 |
| Rating | 3.9 | 4.8 |
| Reviews | 15 | 72 |
| Active installs | 900+ | 2,000+ |
| Total downloads | 61,354 | 78,849 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 288 | 2,142 |
| Last updated | Aug 25, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 |
| First published | Aug 20, 2016 | Jun 17, 2018 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Herd Effects ratings
ProveSource ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Herd Effects nor ProveSource can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Social Proof Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Herd Effects vs ProveSource: common questions
Is Herd Effects better than ProveSource?
ProveSource leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. ProveSource ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #9 in Social Proof Plugins.
Which has more users, Herd Effects or ProveSource?
ProveSource ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #9 in Social Proof Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Herd Effects or ProveSource?
ProveSource has more users: 2,000+ active installs against 900+.
Are Herd Effects and ProveSource free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Herd Effects may also sell a paid version or add-ons. ProveSource may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Herd Effects and ProveSource
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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